Since you say there is no impropriety now in the book, it is all right and the Dedication may stand as it is— I am very glad of this, for it would have cruelly pained Geraldine had I declined it, and
yet you can quite understand that anything of the sort I read would have been most offensive to Carlyle. He does not like yet his name being on what he calls a George-Sand-novel, never did as I told Geraldine from the first—but he does not forbid after what you have said—and that is enough. So off with the dedication to the Printer without more ado—

C. bids me say he will answer your note to him—he wishes much to have a talk with you but he will not be able to dine this week—“having one dinner on hands already—for Wednesday—

JWC-JF, [27 Feb.]. MS: NLS 604.270. Hitherto unpbd. Dated by Forster's answer (as usual probably hand-delivered on the same day) to her question
about the dedication to The Half Sisters in JWC to JF, [26? Feb.], and by the reference to TC's proposed letter to Forster saying he will not be able to “dine this week” (see next letter).